Young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand wins community support, Downtowne Bookstore opens a new concept space, and crape myrtles burst into bloom across Riverside.
University of California, Riverside’s Carillon Tower stands tall as the campus readies for the return of students this fall. (John Kuntz)
Monday Gazette: August 4, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! I’ve known hundreds of people who have left Riverside for all kinds of reasons—college, relationships, bigger cities, smaller towns. Some lost jobs here or found new ones elsewhere. They were searching for fresh starts and quick escapes, any reason to leave the Raincross in the rearview. But there’s something about this city that brings so many of them back. If you left and came back, we’d love to hear your story. This one’s for the Riverside “RePats.” Email us at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com to share.
Council will consider an agreement with the State to fund the clean up of homeless encampments along the 60, 91 and 215 freeways, and the Governmental Process Committee takes first steps toward forming a Charter Review Committee in preparation for the 2028 election.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worth your attention in the coming week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
City Council
City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, August 5, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Considering an agreement with the State for City staff to clean up homeless encampments along the 60, 91 and 215 freeways, with the state reimbursing up to $400,000 to cover the City's costs.
Reviewing plans to repair 16.5 miles of streets in the coming year, while facing a $15 million annual funding shortfall that City staff asserts prevents adequate maintenance of the entire road network.
An annual review of the Auto Center Business Improvement District's agreement with the City that funds advertising and maintenance of the auto center digital sign along the 91 freeway.
Considering authorizing the issuance of up to $165 million in refunding bonds to refinance existing sewer bonds at lower interest rates, generating an estimated $17.3 million in savings over 16 years that will help moderate future sewer rate increases for residents.
The Human Resources Board meets on Monday, August 4, at 5 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.
Governmental Processes Committee
The Governmental Processes Committee (Councilmembers Falcone, Perry, and Conder) meets on Wednesday, August 6, at 9 a.m. (agenda) to prepare to create a new Charter Review Committee to recommend to the City Council which, if any, Charter amendments should be placed on the 2028 ballot, considered reducing the troubled Budget Engagement Commission from 18 to 11 members to address chronic meeting cancellations, and setting guidelines for ward-specific community events.
Transportation Board
The Transportation Board meets on Wednesday, August 6, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.
Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics meets on Thursday, August 7, at 5 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.
Opinion: Riverside’s Bold Vision for 2050: Building a Safer, Smarter, More Creative City
From cutting-edge crime prevention and ending youth homelessness to arts investment and economic growth, Riverside is shaping a future rooted in innovation and community pride.
(Courtesy of the Office of Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson)
If you’ve felt energy around town lately, you’re not imagining it. Across Riverside, momentum is building in job creation, housing, infrastructure, public safety and culture. We’re investing in our future while honoring what makes us such a special place: our people, our neighborhoods and our shared values.
But we’re not leaving our future to chance. We’re making strategic investments, strengthening partnerships and, most important, ensuring that our progress reflects the hopes and needs of our residents.
Public safety remains central to that vision. Riverside’s crime rate is down 25%, a result of strategic investments like our Real Time Crime Center, the Inland SoCal Fusion Center and an expanded drone program that helps first responders act quickly. At the same time, the state has designated more than 13,000 new parcels in Riverside as high fire-risk areas. To keep pace with the growing risk, we are modernizing our Fire Department with updated practices, equipment and training to protect lives, homes and neighborhoods.
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
Young entrepreneur’s lemonade stand wins community support, Downtowne Bookstore opens a new concept space, and crape myrtles burst into bloom across Riverside.
Baseball memories wanted for a special history project, August brings art, sports, and parades, and Riverside seeks final input on future housing designs.
